Lochie Hughes displayed remarkable speed and precision during the Indy NXT Mid-Ohio Practice Session, setting the fastest lap time and reigniting the battle for the championship. On the challenging Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Hughes, driving the No. 26 McGinley Clinic/USF Pro Championship car for Andretti Global, clocked a leading time of 1 minute, 11.0263 seconds, overtaking teammate Dennis Hauger.
This performance occurred late in the 45-minute session, leaving fellow competitors striving to match Hughes’ pace. Despite clinching the top practice spot, Hughes remains second in the overall championship, trailing Hauger by 28 points.
Strong Contenders Push the Limits
Dennis Hauger, in the No. 28 Nammo car, secured second place with a solid 1:11.1107 lap, testing his vehicle’s limits while adjusting to the circuit’s complexities. Close behind, Callum Hedge demonstrated resilience by securing third in the No. 17 Abel Motorsports entry with a 1:11.2255 lap, overcoming a brief gravel trap detour during his run.
Further showing Andretti Global’s strength, Salvador de Alba powered into fourth place driving the No. 27 Grupo Indi car. Meanwhile, Caio Collet, fresh off a win at Road America, rounded out the top five in the No. 76 HMD Motorsports car, setting up an intense competition for the upcoming Grand Prix.
Championship Stakes Heighten for Upcoming Races
The practice session results underscore the mounting rivalry between Hughes and Hauger, as both drivers and their teams refine setups in preparation for the Grand Prix at Mid-Ohio. Hughes acknowledged improvements made to his car, signaling readiness for the race weekend ahead.
Fans can anticipate a gripping contest as these talented drivers continue their push for the Indy NXT championship, with the Mid-Ohio event poised to influence the championship standings significantly and add new momentum to the title chase.
“
The changes we made to the car definitely paid off. It feels great to put in that lap and lead the session,”
—Lochie Hughes, Andretti Global Driver
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is INDY NXT like F2?
A. The FIA Formula 2 car produces 620 horsepower, while the INDY NXT by Firestone has 450 horsepower. However, unlike the INDY NXT vehicle, the F2 car does not enable drivers to take corners by skidding the tires.